1635: The Dreeson Incident (Ring of Fire) Review

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1635: The Dreeson Incident (Ring of Fire) ReviewThis book is just bad, bad, bad.
I'm a series fan so am familiar with the stylistic differences that come with the various contributing authors. For example, some of the fan-written "Grantville Gazette" entries are stronger than others but overall Flint's enthusiastic generosity with co-authors gives the series a heady vitality. Unfortunately, Virginia DeMarce consistently disappoints. She's a good researcher but a terrible writer.
I approached this new title with some caution, simply because DeMarce's previous two attempts were so bad. Unfortunately, she did it again, "it" meaning strewing names, names and more names across lots of pages and calling it a novel. There is NO character development. Zilch. Nada. Zip. Phone books have more depth of interest. A few of the names crop up more often than others but they aren't fleshed out. Worse, the reader is given absolutely no reason to give a whoop what these names--uh, 'characters'--do, much less what happens to them. Contrary to a previous reviewer's suggestion, I DO enjoy complexity in books. There is nothing complex about this mess. It's just a carelessly written hodgepodge. Or perhaps it's just cluelessly written. It's a big ol' glob of turgid text with no discernible purpose but it probably took a while to write--which is even sadder, when I think about it.
Worst of all, particularly for this series, this wretched book fails for context. I figured out where the book falls chronologically but it simply doesn't move the action forward. The torturous soap opera details of one boring family doesn't develop what happens when the modern world is forcibly injected into the past. I'm particularly peeved because this book is such a *waste*. It's a stagnant, disappointing waste of potential.
Save your money. This book is definitely not worth purchasing, particularly at hardcover prices. Mr. Flint and Ms. DeMarce? You used up your last free pass with this mess. When in a hole, *stop digging* already.1635: The Dreeson Incident (Ring of Fire) Overview

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1634: The Galileo Affair (Ring of Fire) Review

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1634: The Galileo Affair (Ring of Fire) ReviewThis volume in the alternate history series based on Eric Flint's 2000 novel "1632" follows "Ring of Fire" and "1633," and is the first of several planned "1634: ..." books to be published. Even though "Ring of Fire" is an anthology, it should be read before "1634: The Galileo Affair," since stories in it introduce and develop many of the main characters (Father Mazzare, the Stones, Mazarini) and set up much of the plot. "1632" and "1633" should be read as well, of course.
At the beginning of "1634: The Galileo Affair," the new United States of Europe is not in the best strategic situation. Simultaneously at war with England, France, Spain, Denmark, Austria and various other polities, it is running short of allies - the Dutch Republic is in dire straights, while Bohemia has its hands full trying to break away from Austria. To try to break out of this encirclement and tap into Mediterranean trade, an embassy is sent to the Venetian Republic.
At the head of the embassy are Father Mazzare and Reverend Jones, along with Sharon Nichols and Tom 'Stoner' Stone, a nurse and chemist (respectively), who will be sharing their medical knowledge with the Italians as a demonstration of good faith. Accompanying Stone are his three teenage sons, who (following their hormones and the lovely Giovanna) quickly fall in with a group of incompetent but enthusiastic revolutionaries hoping to Americanize Italy. They are sucked into a wacky, hare-brained scheme to free Galileo from the Inquisition and take him north to Grantville and Freedom. This plot would probably be harmless were it not receiving expert assistance from a French agent provocateur under orders to discredit the USE. Meanwhile, the copies of the Papers of the Second Vatican Council and related twentieth century Catholic theology that were sent to Pope Urban VIII in "Ring of Fire" have been creating quite a stir in the highest ranks of the Church. The Pope is carefully considering what to do about Galileo, as well as the USE and its curious religious toleration.
"1634: The Galileo Affair" is quite a bit different from the other novels that have so far been published in the 163x series (and probably from those yet to be published, as well). This seems to be Flint's intention, and the reason he's writing the series with a large number of coauthors. In this volume, he is joined by English lawyer Andrew Dennis, with the result that military and political aspects of the story decrease dramatically, while more time is spent on romance and lawyerly discussion. Although I enjoyed the book overall, this is not my favorite approach.
Another notable feature of this volume in the series is that it ignores all of the plot threads developed in "1633," focusing entirely on Italy. According to Flint, "The Galileo Affair" is only the first of several books that will take place in 1634, each pursuing only one story line at a time, though all still tying in with each other. Currently five volumes are planned for this "1634: ..." 'story explosion' - "The Baltic War" (with David Weber), "Escape from the Tower" (Eric Flint solo), "The Austrian Princess" (with Virginia DeMarce) and "Bohemia" (a tentative title, with Mike Spehar) in addition to "The Galileo Affair." While some may be frustrated by the lack of connection to "1633," I personally feel that this approach is much preferable to the 'Robert Jordan method' of trying to cover every plot line at once and ending up not advancing any of them.
At any rate, if you enjoyed "1633" and "Ring of Fire," "1634: The Galileo Affair" should be worth checking out. If you're a fan of the series primarily because of Flint's military writing, the library may be the best choice.1634: The Galileo Affair (Ring of Fire) Overview

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Grantville Gazette V (Ring of Fire) Review

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Grantville Gazette V (Ring of Fire) ReviewThese Grantville Gazette volumes are a real paradox for a reviewer. Since several different authors are involved, it is really difficult to separate the "wheat from the chaff." In general and without belaboring the good, the bad, and the downright ugly on a blow-by-blow basis, I always enjoy these volumes, since they manage to keep the 163x fan in me satisfied 'till the next major work hits the printers.
As both a chess player and amateur astronomer, I enjoyed the tales thus related. I didn't care much for the "electric buddha" business, since it really didn't add much to the ongoing Grantville saga.
I particularly view author David Carrico as an emerging talent.
2 "thumbs up" and 4 stars.Grantville Gazette V (Ring of Fire) Overview

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1634: The Bavarian Crisis (Ring of Fire) Review

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1634: The Bavarian Crisis (Ring of Fire) ReviewBavarian Crisis is another novel about diplomacy in "1634", actually avoiding discussion of local military conflict. The main action of that year is covered in "The Baltic War," which could be read first (and, thankfully, has now been belatedly published). If newcomers start here (or with any of the "1634" books), they will miss too much of deeper import, and may find the story both incomprehensible and boring. This new volume takes us back to 1634, to one of the four crucial side-theaters for which longtime readers of this series have been waiting. The story develops in Thuringia, Bavaria, and Vienna, month by month, with chapter headings in Latin for no discernible reason. (You can play a little game, to find the phrase translated somewhere in the text.) Duke Maximilian of Bavaria is a study in religious madness as he loses control of his realm and makes others the scapegoats. He, and other potentates on the edges of the young United States of Europe, are under constant pressure and intrigue from its agents.
The book opens with three maps, showing places and contemporary political borders one won't find on a modern map. DeMare provides four genealogies so we can follow the intricate relations among characters and the ruling Hapsburg dynasty (the longest and therefore most complicated in all known history). There's much humor in these big books--not in dialogue so much as characters' thoughts, wordplay, anachronistic up-time jargon, manly jokes; nothing elaborate. Most everyone is very reasonable, that is, they make their reasons perfectly clear. In general, everybody acts so reasonably, with such little emotion, such wry humor, that the result is flat. One manifest flub--having a lead undercover character blurt out her identity when nobody had asked--is actually a setup for the final suspense. The pace has to be slowed by long digressions on historical and strategical matters (vital to alternative HISTORY, after all), while immediate tactics are concealed in the commanders' heads and cleverly sprung on the enemy (and the reader). That's about the only suspense, as the Adolf/Stearns USE juggernaut rolls on from success to success.
This West-Virginians-in-the-Thirty-Years-War saga is a thoroughly collaborative work in progress, with significant online input. Thus, the fact this book is "late" to the fray means little, because there is no single main line, many themes in parallel, and no single series "hero" (instead, many). That is what makes this alternative history series unique, yet frustrating to try to follow while it is being published. These later novels lack the shock and surprise of the first, truly novel. They also lack the sense of desperation that made "1632" and "1633" so powerful.1634: The Bavarian Crisis (Ring of Fire) Overview

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Ring of Fire II (v. 2) Review

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Ring of Fire II (v. 2) ReviewRing of Fire II (2008) is the second alternate history anthology in the Assiti Shards series. It contains a novella, fourteen short stories, two maps, and a preface by the editor.
"Horse Thieves" by Karen Bergstrahl tells about the conflicts between downtime mercenaries working for Grantville and some uptimers.
"Second Issue?" by Brad Sinor concerns the aftermath of "Here Comes Santa Claus" in RoF I, when the Grantville Times receives a story from a reporter who has stumbled onto the conspiracy.
"Diving Belle" by Gunnar Dahlin & Dave Freer is about a librarian who will do almost anything to get back some stolen books and the effects of her actions upon Stockholm.
"A Gift from the Duchess" by Virginia DeMarce relates the story of the loan of three plague specialists to the disease ridden city of Kronach.
"Lucky at Cards" by Andrew Dennis describes a high stake card game with the brother of the French king.
"A Trip to Amsterdam" by Gorg Huff & Paula Goodlett is a story about high finance and the siege of Amsterdam.
"This'll Be the Day" by Walt Boyles recounts the deeds of Father Friedrich Spee von Langenfeld on the day of his former death.
"Command Performance" by David Carrico illustrates the impact of uptime music on the elite of Magdeburg and Europe.
"Ellis Island" by Russ Rittgers recounts the tribulations of a peasant family immigrating to Grantville.
"Malungu Seed" by Jonathan Cresswell-Jones is about an African Jesuit layman who has an urgent mission in Grantville and elsewhere.
"Trials" by Jay Robison reveals the trials of an Italian artist and a Grantville housewife.
"The Chase" by Iver P. Cooper shows the perils of a teenage crush on a English aristocrat.
"Eddie and the King's Daughter" by K.D. Wentworth tells of the shaky beginning of Eddie's relationship with Anne Cathrine.
"Second Thoughts" by Virginia DeMarce discloses the events leading to marriage between the parents of Noelle Brigitte Murphy.
"The Austro-Hungarian Connection" by Eric Flint is the novella. It describes a very unusual romance between Noelle Brigitte Stull and a Hungarian officer.
Highly recommended for Ring of Fire fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of alternate history and cultural mixing.
-Arthur W. JordinRing of Fire II (v. 2) Overview

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Ring of Fire (Century Quartet, Book 1) Review

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Ring of Fire (Century Quartet, Book 1) ReviewRating System:
1 star = abysmal; some books deserve to be forgotten
2 star = poor; a total waste of time
3 star = good; worth the effort
4 star = very good; what writing should be
5 star = fantastic; must own it and share it with others
Blurb from back cover: "Every Hundred Years, humankind is put to the test. Every hundred years, four young people must take on an enormous challenge. Another century has passed, and the children have been chosen. The challenge begins in Rome, the city of fire."
1) I like the concept of a four part challenge covering four books with four kids who each plays a key role in completing the challenge
2) Right at page 8 my fears were realized when the writing of the character's actions, dialog and emotions was just HORRENDOUS. I don't know if this was due to the translation and/or the author is just a novice writer. Either way, it doesn't get much better throughout and only the cleverness of parts of the story keep the reader half-interested.
3) I like the cover and inserts. Eye-catching!
4) Did I mention the author seems to play the hand of God card too often?! There never is really any threat as things always miraculously work out perfect for our four protagonists...then again why wouldn't it? I mean after all they need to survive three more books. But still the suspension of belief was pushed passed reasonable limits in some cases.
5) If you don't want to care about the characters or appreciate the writing, then hold on to the mystery of the story. That has some meat to it, which is the main reason I didn't give this a one star.
I know. I know. I hate rating a book so low, but I read a LOT of YA books (just finished bk 2 of the Hunger games. Very good read!) But let's face it, there are more and more authors trying to break into this booming market of YA. That is especially good and bad for the audience as more good books and more poor books will be available and until you read it (or read the reviews) you won't know which is which.
Personal recommendation is move on unless the story concept and pretty inserts intrigues you.Ring of Fire (Century Quartet, Book 1) Overview

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1632 (Ring of Fire) Review

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1632 (Ring of Fire) ReviewBasically, this book is about a coal-mining town in West Virginia which is mysteriously transported to Germany at the time of the Thirty Years War. This theme has been developed before, going back to Mark Twain (or maybe further). To my knowledge, S.M. Stirling was the first major writer to move a whole community back to another time, with his Nantucket Series, and now Eric Flint seeks to get his version in. I am a fan of this genre, so I expected to enjoy this book, and I did. One way that it is different from most of these stories is that it focuses on the "little people"--The movers and shakers of this book are not professors or military officers or big-time politicians. The hero is a failed boxer who is a minor union official. On the other hand, the book is filled with affectionate praise for King Gustavus Adolphus. Gustavus Adolphus was a real historical figure, and if you don't know who he is, don't worry, you will know when you finish the book! I enjoyed the book, think most who are interested by this idea will enjoy it. Only criticism I have are that too much time is spent with the time travellers offstage, describing the Battle of Breitenfield, a real historical battle. Some may be disappointed that a minimum of time is spent describing clever technological improvisations--These seem to be a staple of this genre, but there isn't much of it here. If you enjoyed this book, I'd look up H. Beam Piper's LORD KALVAN OF OTHERWHEN, S.M. Stirling's ISLAND IN THE SEA OF TIME, and L. Sprague deCamp's LEST DARKNESS FALL.1632 (Ring of Fire) Overview

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1636: The Saxon Uprising (The Ring of Fire) Review

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1636: The Saxon Uprising (The Ring of Fire) ReviewI read this as an ebook and not as the hardcover.
For the last few books, the Assiti Shards series had been all over the place. It felt like too much was happening in too short a time - a few decades worth of war happened in 4 short years with internal social convulsions thrown in between. I was thinking about giving up on the series.
Then, the last book, The Eastern Front, threw in a seriously unexpected curveball.
From that plot twist, this book started up with a mess that turned into an unexpectedly fun novel. This one felt like a return to the first few books in the series. There are multiple story lines occurring at the same time with many of the usual suspects but without that many new characters added in. It resolved itself nicely while leaving open a handful of story lines to continue in the next books of the series.1636: The Saxon Uprising (The Ring of Fire) Overview

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