Book Review: 2 Treasure Boxes
First book in The Emberverse I Series
Publisher: Roc (September 6, 2005), Paperback: 592 pages, ISBN-10: 0451460413, ISBN-13: 978-0451460417

What would happen to our world, if technological processes were no longer available? The same phenomena that caused Nantucket to move back in time 3,000 years from Island in the Sea of Time has affected our current society in Dies the Fire. Imagine how our world would respond with the ability to only utilize the technology available at the end of the bronze age (1,500 BC.)  This is an interesting concept and Mr. Stirling does a wonderful job of analysing the various situations that would arise while examining how different people would react.

S. M. Stirling has written numerous books and series, primarily in the fantasy, science fiction and alternate history genres.  There are three books in The Emberverse I series and currently there are five books in The Emberverse II series, with two more books expected to be released over the next few years. The book is told in a third person narrative from the various different characters point of view.  The main protagonists are the leaders of the two separate groups: Michael Havel from the Bearkillers and Juniper Mackenzie from Clan MacKenzie.

The characters are interesting and diverse with the introduction of two separate groups of “good” people who start out small but slowly attract others.  They draw together and using a little bit of brains and plenty of luck manage to carve out an existence for themselves in the new world. These groups initially do not know each other, but soon come into contact with some interesting consequences. There is lots of action, especially in the last third of the book which focuses primarily on battles being fought. There were perhaps just a few too many battle scenes for my taste.  There are plenty of bullies and bad guys who emerge as well and this is where the majority of the conflict resides.

I enjoyed the book and I really liked the concept.  I probably will read the next book in the series, but I need a break from all the battle scenes.

Favourite Quote: There’s no real refuge from what’s happening in the world, and what refuge there is, is in other people.

Question to ponder: if our current society lost all its technology and there was no gun power of any kind,  only brute strength and physical weapons, who would end up ruling the world? Would there be enough good people to pull together and become the dominant society or would the bullys end up ruling the world?

To purchase: “Dies the Fire” from Amazon, click here or on picture above