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 ReviewThis book contains a nugget of another interesting installment in the Ring of Fire universe. We meet some new characters, some of which are reasonably compelling. Too bad it's also filled with chapter after chapter detailing the random and irrelevant trials and tribulations of various clans within the universe. There are so many new people introduced (most of which have precious little to do with the plot) that it is quite impossible to keep track of them all.
This tedious detailing of extensive backstory for minor players in the saga should have been relegated to the Grantville Gazette or some other "side" book in the series, not the main 16XX line.Posted on
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Product ReviewI enjoyed the interweave of themes, even though I made a scorecard to keep track of the players. I'd have given it five stars, but the last chapters, all that Krystalnacht bit seemed grafted onto the rest of the book.
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Product ReviewOnly the last few chapters, probably written by Eric Flint, about the new, improved version of Krystalnacht are truly anywhere up to the quality of the rest of the series. The rest of it is too many names, too little action and WGAS anyway.
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Product ReviewI like this type of fat book with casts of (almost) thousands and several intertwining plots.
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Product ReviewInteresting. Very rare to see themes from modern women's fiction in an alternate-universe sci-fi book. A young girl's discovery of long-lost family secrets as she (unwillingly?) falls in love, two young wives trapped in bad marriages, three crotchety old ladies dealing with changes in their lives in different ways, four young women forging a new path for themselves amidst a backdrop of international intrigue and domestic crises. While perhaps not as action-packed as some of the other works in the Ring of Fire universe, The Dreeson Incident serves as a reminder that not all things start as great and glorious. Some things begin with the small and petty domestic disturbances in what is very much still a small town in America in the mindset of its citizens. And it is out of this small town mix of family and neighbours, rivalries and friendships that the heroes of Grantville are formed.
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Product ReviewClearly not written by Eric Flint
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Product ReviewI found this book very confusing--there are excessive references to stories I don't know, presumably from the Grantville Gazette, and there are just plain too many characters. Scenes seem pasted together in a sort of literary collage.
EDIT: In the last ~15 chapters, things pick up a bit. The book would be much better if it were about 2/3s as long.Posted on
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Product ReviewMediocre at best. Confusing, hard to follow, and way too many minor characters, and minor storylines that get dragged out way past where they stop being interesting.
I am disappointed at the direction the 163X franchise has gone. The first books were very, very good, and rate as some of my favorite books of all time.Posted on
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Product Reviewtedious, unfocused. kept expecting it to take off. what in the world was the point of all the endless genealogy?
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