Dies the Fire (Emberverse Series #1)

( 201 )

Pick Up in Store

Reserve and pick up in 60 minutes at your local store

Paperback (Mass Market Paperback - Reprint) 
A small-format, low-cost paperback -- usually 4 1/4" x 6 3/4" -- most often used for genres such as mystery, romance, and sci-fi, as well as bestsellers with broad commercial appeal.
$7.99
BN.com price
Marketplace (New and Used)
from
$0.99
$7.99 List Price (Save 88%)
All (45)  
Used (29)  
New (16)  
Close
Sort by
Page 1 of 5
Showing 1 – 10 of 45 (5 pages)
$0.99
(Save 88%)
Seller since 2005

Feedback rating:

(639)

Condition:

New — never opened or used in original packaging.

Like New — packaging may have been opened. A "Like New" item is suitable to give as a gift.

Very Good — may have minor signs of wear on packaging but item works perfectly and has no damage.

Good — item is in good condition but packaging may have signs of shelf wear/aging or torn packaging. All specific defects should be noted in the Comments section associated with each item.

Acceptable — item is in working order but may show signs of wear such as scratches or torn packaging. All specific defects should be noted in the Comments section associated with each item.

Used — An item that has been opened and may show signs of wear. All specific defects should be noted in the Comments section associated with each item.

Refurbished — A used item that has been renewed or updated and verified to be in proper working condition. Not necessarily completed by the original manufacturer.

Acceptable
2005 Paperback Grade: F Catalog: Science Fiction General Synopsis: Ratty tatty XLibrary book with stamps, stickers, tape, soft and worn. Reading copy only. 573 pages. The Change ... occurred when an electrical storm cente... Read more Show Less

Ships from: Tucson, AZ

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

  • Canadian
  • International
  • Standard, 48 States
  • Standard (AK, HI)
  • Express, 48 States
  • Express (AK, HI)
$1.98
(Save 75%)
Seller since 2009

Feedback rating:

(110)

Condition: Very Good
2005 Mass-market paperback Very good. Mass market (rack) paperback. Glued binding. 573 p. Roc Science Fiction. Audience: Young adult. fine with back cover crease

Ships from: North Potomac, MD

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

  • Canadian
  • International
  • Standard, 48 States
  • Standard (AK, HI)
  • Express, 48 States
  • Express (AK, HI)
$1.98
(Save 75%)
Seller since 2007

Feedback rating:

(1645)

Condition: Good
Roc Science Fiction.

Ships from: Bellingham, MA

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

  • Canadian
  • International
  • Standard, 48 States
  • Standard (AK, HI)
  • Express, 48 States
  • Express (AK, HI)
$1.99
(Save 75%)
Seller since 2009

Feedback rating:

(3923)

Condition: Good
Book shows a small amount of wear to cover and binding. Some pages show signs of use. Sail the Seas of Value

Ships from: Windsor, CT

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

  • Canadian
  • International
  • Standard, 48 States
  • Standard (AK, HI)
  • Express, 48 States
  • Express (AK, HI)
$1.99
(Save 75%)
Seller since 2009

Feedback rating:

(8060)

Condition: Acceptable
A tradition of southern quality and service. All books guaranteed at the Atlanta Book Company. Our mailers are 100% recyclable.

Ships from: Atlanta, GA

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

  • Canadian
  • International
  • Standard, 48 States
  • Standard (AK, HI)
  • Express, 48 States
  • Express (AK, HI)
$1.99
(Save 75%)
Seller since 2007

Feedback rating:

(5902)

Condition: Acceptable
Millions of satisfied customers and climbing. Thriftbooks is the name you can trust, guaranteed. Spend Less. Read More.

Ships from: Auburn, WA

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

  • Canadian
  • International
  • Standard, 48 States
  • Standard (AK, HI)
  • Express, 48 States
  • Express (AK, HI)
$2.19
(Save 73%)
Seller since 2005

Feedback rating:

(920)

Condition: Good
2005-09-06 Mass Market Paperback Good Roc Science Fiction.

Ships from: Bellingham, MA

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

  • Canadian
  • International
  • Standard, 48 States
  • Standard (AK, HI)
  • Express, 48 States
  • Express (AK, HI)
$2.25
(Save 72%)
Seller since 2010

Feedback rating:

(20)

Condition: Very Good
Paperback with light edgewear. No spine or cover creasing. Text is clean and bright.

Ships from: Oviedo, FL

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

  • Standard, 48 States
  • Standard (AK, HI)
$2.50
(Save 69%)
Seller since 2006

Feedback rating:

(49)

Condition: Good
New York, New York, U.S.A. 2005 Mass Market Paperback Good. No Jacket 12mo-over 6?"-7?" tall. Tight copy. Edges rubbed. Spine creased.

Ships from: Winchester, VA

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

  • Canadian
  • International
  • Standard, 48 States
  • Standard (AK, HI)
  • Express, 48 States
  • Express (AK, HI)
$3.50
(Save 56%)
Seller since 2012

Feedback rating:

(19)

Condition: Very Good
0451460413 Clean, unmarked copy. In great shape! I can send expedited rate if you chose; otherwise it will promptly be sent via media rate. Got any questions? Email me; I'm ... happy to help! Read more Show Less

Ships from: Los Angeles, CA

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

  • Standard, 48 States
  • Standard (AK, HI)
  • Express, 48 States
  • Express (AK, HI)
Page 1 of 5
Showing 1 – 10 of 45 (5 pages)
Close
Sort by
NOOK Book (eBook)
$7.99
BN.com price

Available on NOOK devices and apps

  • Nook Devices
  • NOOK
  • NOOK Color
  • NOOK Tablet
  • Tablet/Phone
  • NOOK for iPad
  • NOOK for iPhone
  • NOOK for Android
  • NOOK for Android (Tablet)
  • NOOK Kids for iPad
  • PC/Mac
  • NOOK Study
  • NOOK for PC
  • NOOK for Mac

Want a NOOK? Explore Now

Overview

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.

"Dies the Fire kept me reading till five in the morning so I could finish at one great gulp..."—New York Times bestselling author Harry Turtledove

Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly
What is the foundation of our civilization? asks Stirling (Conquistador) in this rousing tale of the aftermath of an uncanny event, "the Change," that renders electronics and explosives (including firearms) inoperative. As American society disintegrates, without either a government able to maintain order or an economy capable of sustaining a large population, most of the world dies off from a combination of famine, plague, brigandage and just plain bad luck. The survivors are those who adapt most quickly, either by making it to the country and growing their own crops-or by taking those crops from others by force. Chief among the latter is a former professor of medieval history with visions of empire, who sends bicycling hordes of street thugs into the countryside. Those opposing him include an ex-Marine bush pilot, who teams up with a Texas horse wrangler and a teenage Tolkien fanatic to create something very much like the Riders of Rohan. Ultimately, 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. Agent, Russell Galen. (Aug. 3) Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.
Library Journal
In an instant marked by a blinding flash of light, the world changes forever as modern technology ceases to function. Those who survive the initial Change include pilot Michael Havel, who leads his stranded passengers out of the wilderness in search of civilization's remnants. Wiccan folksinger Juniper Mackenzie, her daughter, and a few friends flee to the Mackenzie's cabin, where they hope to relearn old skills and grow food to feed themselves and others. The author of The Peshawar Lancers once again starts with a global catastrophe, this time building a stunning speculative vision of a near-future bereft of modern conveniences but filled with human hope and determination. Highly recommended. Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9780451460417
  • Publisher: Penguin Group (USA)
  • Publication date: 9/6/2005
  • Format: Mass Market Paperback
  • Edition description: Reprint
  • Pages: 592
  • Sales rank: 93,608
  • Series: Emberverse Series , #1
  • Product dimensions: 4.34 (w) x 6.68 (h) x 1.31 (d)

Meet the Author

S.M. Stirling
S.M. Stirling

S. M. Stirling is the author of numerous novels, both on his own and in collaboration. A former lawyer and an amateur historian, he lives in the Southwest with his wife, Jan.

Table of Contents

Customer Reviews

Average Rating 4
( 201 )

Rating Distribution

5 Star

(88)

4 Star

(71)

3 Star

(21)

2 Star

(14)

1 Star

(7)

Your Rating:

Your Name: Create a Pen Name or Leave Anonymously

Barnes & Noble.com Review Rules

Our reader reviews allow you to share your comments on titles you liked, or didn't, with others. By submitting an online review, you are representing to Barnes & Noble.com that all information contained in your review is original and accurate in all respects, and that the submission of such content by you and the posting of such content by Barnes & Noble.com does not and will not violate the rights of any third party. Please follow the rules below to help ensure that your review can be posted.

Reviews by Our Customers Under the Age of 13

We highly value and respect everyone's opinion concerning the titles we offer. However, we cannot allow persons under the age of 13 to have accounts at BN.com or to post customer reviews. Please see our Terms of Use for more details.

What to exclude from your review:

Please do not write about reviews, commentary, or information posted on the product page. If you see any errors in the information on the product page, please send us an email.

Reviews should not contain any of the following:

  • - HTML tags, profanity, obscenities, vulgarities, or comments that defame anyone
  • - Time-sensitive information such as tour dates, signings, lectures, etc.
  • - Single-word reviews. Other people will read your review to discover why you liked or didn't like the title. Be descriptive.
  • - Comments focusing on the author or that may ruin the ending for others
  • - Phone numbers, addresses, URLs
  • - Pricing and availability information or alternative ordering information
  • - Advertisements or commercial solicitation

Reminder:

  • - By submitting a review, you grant to Barnes & Noble.com and its sublicensees the royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable right and license to use the review in accordance with the Barnes & Noble.com Terms of Use.
  • - Barnes & Noble.com reserves the right not to post any review -- particularly those that do not follow the terms and conditions of these Rules. Barnes & Noble.com also reserves the right to remove any review at any time without notice.
  • - See Terms of Use for other conditions and disclaimers.
Search for Products You'd Like to Recommend

Recommend other products that relate to your review. Just search for them below and share!

Create a Pen Name

Your Pen Name is your unique identiy on BN.com. It will appear on the reviews you write and other website activities. Your Pen Name cannot be edited, changed or deleted once submitted.

Your Pen Name can be any combination of alphanumeric characters (plus - and _), and must be at least two characters long.

Continue Anonymously

We're sorry, but penname is already taken.

Please select one of the following:
Your Pen Name can be any combination of alphanumeric characters (plus - and _), and must be at least two characters long.

Continue Anonymously

penname is available!

By visiting the BN.com website or marking a purchase on BN.com, a User is deemed to have accepted the Terms of Use.

Continue Anonymously

Welcome, penname

You have successfully created your Pen Name. Start enjoying the benefits of the BN.com Community today.

See All Sort by: Showing 1 – 20 of 201 Customer Reviews
  • Posted November 8, 2008

    I Also Recommend:

    Mr. Preachy

    I have to agree with the reviewers that have given this series a negative review. In my opinion too many of Mr. Stirling's books turn into preachy, tedious and very partisan readings of history. He often blatantly inserts his own viewpoints concerning the value and/or relative lack of value of various civilizations using the voices of his characters to make his point. For example in the parallel story of the Nantucket survivors who get thrown into the past; he uses two Black characters to disparage the view that Egypt was an African culture and not some alien group of Euro-Asiatics plopped down on the African continent. While it is obvious that history is a hobby of Mr. Stirling's he is not a historian nor is he an archaeologist, anthropologist and/or ethnologist. And I found the concept that within the continental United States that a religion such as Wicca would draw in the number of converts in such a short period of time and that its then too numerous to count adherents would so easily morph into "so mote it be" clansmen. Again as another reviewer noted...if I wanted to study the Wiccan religion I would pick up a book on it. His overall portrayal of those who ascribe to more or less Christian if not other monotheistic belief systems is laced with scorn and derision. Lastly, both he and Harry Turtledove have an abysmal history (my opinion) of writing believable non-White characters; specifically Black characters. Both present their various Black, Latino, Asian and/or Native American characters as so much fluff and window dressing. They are either perfect long suffering Sidney Poitier/Tonto stereotypes; or they are vicious sadistic Fu Manchu reprisals of evil inscrutable foreigners.

    5 out of 9 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  No   Report this review
  • Anonymous

    Posted March 10, 2008

    Great IDEA, poor EXECUTION.

    Every now and then a book comes along with such an origional concept that people get cought up in the potential of the book rather than the quality. This is one of those times. I have heard this book recommended freaquently, and everytime I hear about it, the concept of the book is raved about but the execution is passed over in it's criticism. It's too bad. If avid book readers (including those that have reviewed this title) actually cared about plot, character development and pacing, this book may have gotten an honest review. But unfortunately the boring plot, poor pacing, overly descriptive, and flat character writing seems to have been forgotten about, because people are so desparate for a unique and interesting concept. Don't get me wrong, Modern times reverting to midevil times done in a somewhat plausible way is very interesting, and that's why I read this garbage, but a good idea doesn't make a good book.

    4 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  No   Report this review
  • Anonymous

    Posted October 23, 2007

    First half good, second half...

    The first half was enjoyable, it had excitement and creative ideas. However, somewhere around midway, the plot just fell apart. A previous poster said the Wiccans were 'too good.' I agree, they were a bore. Also, S.M. Stirling left out a lot of script. There were many instances where the climax of an event was just being reached, but Stirling would cut it off and enter back in skipping a lot of detail. It was aggravating. I won't be reading it again just because I don't want to waste my time 'and I read it in a day'. There are much better books out there that are worth the money and time.

    4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  No   Report this review
  • Anonymous

    Posted December 28, 2005

    Disappointing

    I had high hopes for this, based on what others have said, but I was dissappointed. There were some good elements to the book, but a lot of it was tedious and not very interesting. There were parts that I just had to skip as they really had nothing to do with the story. If I wanted to read about the wiccan thing, I'd get a book describing wiccan. I won't be reading the sequel, I just don't care what happens next. The premise of all of the sudden the lights go out for no apparent or explained reason is lame, but, hey it could still be interesting, but it really wasn't.

    4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  No   Report this review
  • Posted January 7, 2011

    I Also Recommend:

    Camelot here we come.

    The book came heavily recommended to me, and rightly so. It's a great read, and a fast read. It's not often that I find books set in the area that I live. The Pactific Northwest, but most notably Oregon. It was great reading about the town's I've lived in and worked in. My only complaint about the book is the Juniper MacKenzie Clan and the Wicca religion. Just didn't do much for me. However, Mike Havel and the Bearkillers are great and hope to read more about their adventures.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  No   Report this review
  • Posted April 10, 2010

    I Also Recommend:

    Good Read, Intriguing Premise

    Stirling's Emberverse series revolves around an earth-changing event that completely rewrites the chemistry books. This event throws all civilization back to the pre-Industrial days of our history.

    How well could we adjust without the necessities of our civilization? Stirling's characters must cope with the trials and dangers of humanity's fall back to a time where might often makes right and where only the strong - and those protected by the strong - have any chance of survival.

    Stirling raises critical questions that may make some uneasy about our society today. How would people cope without the thin veneer of civilization? To what lengths would we go to survive in a post-apocalyptic world? How much of what we call "civilized behavior" can we lose without descending into barbarism?

    I like Stirling's characters. I also enjoyed the historical references as the characters learn to live in conditions more common to Europe during the Viking era than with modern America.

    I have only one minor quibble and a major question with Stirling's story.

    First, the quibble. It seems that certain characters find themselves either incredibly lucky or extremely blessed, depending on your perspective. Characters stumble across people who can conveniently fill a major hole in their group, or they find the right materials to solve the crisis at hand. I concede the possibility of this happening, especially in the area of the book's setting. After all, the Pacific Northwest would contain an almost limitless supply of many materials even if industry halted today.

    As much as I enjoyed the book, I still find myself struggling with the major premise. How can anything change the basic laws of what we call "nature" without the consequences spreading throughout the universe as we know it? In any work, the reader must connect with the basic plot line to really appreciate the artist's endeavor. I had difficulty understanding how the basic chemistry could change so much in some aspects but yet other areas remained unchanged. I suppose this is science fiction, in a way, so I must suspend belief in the "science" and enjoy the "fiction."

    I've also read Stirling's "Conquistador." Between the 2, I enjoyed "Conquistador" much more. I plan to read more of Stirling's work later.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  No   Report this review
  • Posted October 26, 2009

    I Also Recommend:

    What if...

    Alternate histories can be a lot of fun, but they can also suck horribly. Honestly, I hesitate to buy them because they are so often disappointing. The fun comes from question, "what if this one thing had gone differently?" Actually in this case its, "what if a flash of light (in 1986) changed the laws of physics so that technology no longer worked?" It's a great question for those of us who were alive in 1986. Its a fun world to put yourself in because we all wonder about our resourcefulness.

    Where they go wrong is in lack of research, logic and imagination. If, for example, an author doesn't imagine plausible results the story becomes annoying. And a story can be implausibly over or under reacting. Secondly, as with disaster fiction we need likable characters to observe in the situation. There's nothing more boring than a series of scenes about what happened.

    So how does Stirling do? Really well. Good characters, good pacing, good detail and description. All around its well written and since its not easy to write this type of novel well this book stands out.

    There are some challenges. There are a lot of characters and a lot of pages, which means this isn't a good book for slow readers at all. Also there is a lot of travel back and forth without mention of the path people took. For those of us who gain an extra bit of fun from living in the NW where this series is set, it can get a little ruined by not explaining how some characters hop back and forth over the Cascades when they can't go through Portland or use Hwy 20.

    Sterling also shies away from portraying large scale battles though there are at least two in the book. It maintains the balance between pages spent on exploring the "what if" and those spent on action, but I could have used a little more action, and made space for it by cutting some of the detailed depiction of Wiccan rituals.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  No   Report this review
  • Posted August 23, 2009

    more from this reviewer

    Great until the end

    awesome, but ended in strange spot. and worse, the next book doesn't pick up where this one left off. it's 8 YEARS LATER!?

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  No   Report this review
  • Anonymous

    Posted March 6, 2007

    Nantucket Trilogy Was Better

    First half of the book was gripping, but the second half just bored me. The Wiccans are just too perfect. While I commend the author for including a positive portrayal of the Wiccans, they were just too hippy dippy for my tastes. While the characters are somewhat enjoyable, there was really no one to whom I could relate. His Nantucket trilogy was much better.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  No   Report this review
  • Anonymous

    Posted June 19, 2006

    blah.....

    I am a huge fan of post apocalyptic fiction, however, this missed holding my attention. First of all after only barely two weeks into this 'blackout', society just falls apart and people star congregating and forming little self sustaining societies with of course the good versus evil concept. Also , this read more like a sci-fi fantasy rather than post apocalyptic fiction. I do not plan on reading the sequel, because I was unable to finish this book.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  No   Report this review
  • Posted May 14, 2012

    A very good start to a very good series!

    Having two interleaved plot lines kept things interesting!

    Was this review helpful? Yes  No   Report this review
  • Anonymous

    Posted April 9, 2012

    One of the best books I have read

    This book is a great book to read. I would highly reccomend this book

    Was this review helpful? Yes  No   Report this review
  • Anonymous

    Posted February 27, 2011

    We have the entire series

    Book one 'Dies the fire' sets the tone, then you must keep on reading as you find out what happens to the characters you fall in love with. Not a book for the casual reader, complicated and violent at times.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  No   Report this review
  • Posted January 26, 2011

    Well written and entertaining

    This book has an interesting foundation, with technology gone, how will we survive? The side story of social groups and community structures is very advanced. I recommend both the story and the writer. I will look for more stories by this author.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  No   Report this review
  • Posted December 18, 2010

    Good Story

    This is a good story and I enjoyed watching the interplay of the characters. It is a well done post-apocalyptic book showing the strength of those who survive and the civilization that develops. My biggest problem is I don't like to be preached at. It is a Wiccan book. I prefer books that are much less blatant in the propagandizing.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  No   Report this review
  • Posted December 10, 2010

    I like the story but....

    this books plot isnt that bad but it is very slow to start,and for some parts its a cutaway scene like a movie which takes you away from the action of the group that you were following and i didnt like that at all.its supposed to be a book not a movie or it shouldve been a movie period.ive read the emberverse series 1&2 and i love them but the execution of the plot and story needs to actually flow like a story not like watching a movie.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  No   Report this review
  • Posted September 30, 2010

    I Also Recommend:

    Highly Recommended! If you liked The Stand, read this one!

    I loved this book! In fact, I have read this one ( and the subsequent ones ) several times. What would happen if everything just stopped in a moment? No more cars, telephones, planes, guns, etc.... In a flash of bright light the world as we know it is gone. How do people survive without electricity? What would you eat if you could run sown to local store and but food? What would yo have to do just to survive another day? Find out just how savage the world could become in this book of "what if".

    Was this review helpful? Yes  No   Report this review
  • Posted August 22, 2010

    I Also Recommend:

    another book involving the"CHANGE"

    ive yet to read this series but it seems interesting since there are two other books that i know use the change as the setting,im referring to ARIEL&ELEGY BEACH by steven r. boyett.ariel being reprinted since first being published in 1983 is a unique story describing the change through the protagonists pete garey's eyes.but after reading it i wondered what became of the other states in the U.S?the sequel ELEGY BEACH refers to them very seldom as pete recalls his journey.but still heres to another book of the change.hope the swordplay is awesome ill give a poper review after i read it.

    0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  No   Report this review
  • Posted November 6, 2009

    more from this reviewer

    I Also Recommend:

    A good read

    I like this series and its sister series, Islands in the Sea of Time.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  No   Report this review
  • Posted August 15, 2009

    Thought provoking and a great story!

    The characters are well defined. You felt like you knew them. The plot was very original and thought provoking. A good topic of conversation. I am reading the second in the series and am just as impressed. Anyone who likes Science Fiction will love this series.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  No   Report this review
See All Sort by: Showing 1 – 20 of 201 Customer Reviews

If you find inappropriate content, please report it to Barnes & Noble
Why is this product inappropriate?
Comments (optional)
500 character limit