The Thirty Years War continues to ravage 17th century Europe, but a new force is gathering power and influence: the Confederated Principalities of Europe, an alliance between Gustavus Adolphus, King of Sweden, and the West Virginians from the 20th century led by Mike Stearns who were hurled centuries into the past by a mysterious cosmic accident.
While the old entrenched rulers and manipulators continue to plot against this new upstart nation, everyday life goes on in Grantville, the town lost in time, with librarians, firefighters, and garbage collectors trying to make do under unusual circumstances. And what better place for an undercover spy from France than working with the garbage collectors, examining 20th century machines that others throw out and copying the technology (though he wishes one device—the paper shredder—had been left behind in the future).
There are more sinister agents at work, however. One of them, Ducos, almost succeeded in assassinating the Pope, but his plan was ruined by quick action by a few Americans. Now, the would-be assassin not only has a score to settle, but has also decided on two excellent targets: Grantville's leader Mike Stearns and his wife Rebecca. . . .
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Product Review
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Product ReviewEric presents an interesting core storyline building upon the legacy of the previous titles in this series. Unfortunately, he then allows it to be filled (fluffed) out with a nearly incoherant blathering of soap-operaish droning, where entire chapters could easily be condensed to a sentence or two without loosing any significance. The problem with subcontracting out work is that in the end, his name and reputation are on the line for the results. In this case, terrible results. The majority of this book should never have been published, or published in the Gazzette with the other fanfiction. Very disappointing.
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Product Review
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Product ReviewApparently this series has died. Flint gave it up to someone who hasn't a clue how to hold a reader. If he's tired of it, fine, just don't continue to waste our time under false pretenses. Eric Flint values profit over all else. Metaphorically, he's farmed out the production to China and expects his name and a coat of shiny gold paint will rob the rubes who believed his brand was a guarantee of quality.
Eric Flint makes other capitalists look angelic in comparison. He hangs his name on shoddy goods and collects a check, making all writers look bad - they just want to start a brand, and then sell the rights to copy it in the cheapest possible way. He probably owns a Chinese-made Hummer dealership.Posted on
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Product ReviewI found the book quite interesting. Not as good as previous titles in this series, but pretty good. I would recommend it.
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Product ReviewIf you enjoy this series, avoid this book. there is absolutely nothing in it you need, and only the last few chapters are interesting. Even those aren't worth wading through the earlier mishmash of pointless wanderings.
Fortunately Eric Flint is returning to his higher quality work in the subsequent book, 'The Eastern Front' which, while really only half a book, is at least half a very good book and worth reading. Don't waste time on this detour.
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Product ReviewNo where near the level: other books/ stories in this series reach.
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Product ReviewJust another step on the destruction of a great series. DeMarce's writing is all over the place and this is a horrible read. After this debacle, I'm done with the Ring of Fire. This is the third book with DeMarce's name on it that I have wasted my money on, there won't be anymore.
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Product ReviewIf Eric doesn't get Demarco out of this series I'm done with it.
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