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A review by alex_ellermann
Ring of Fire by Eric Flint
4.0
This is an anthology of stories set in the 1632 universe. I like this universe. I like the people in it. I like this book.
The premise of the 1632 universe takes quite a leap of the imagination. For reasons no one understands, a small West Virginia coal mining town, and its environs in a 3-mile radius, is transported to 1632 Germany at the height of the 30 Years’ War. It’s far fetched, even for a science fiction premise, but the groundedness of the rest of the story rewards the reader willing to swallow the outlandish premise.
The first novel in the series, entitled ‘1632,’ transports the town to Germany, orients the reader to the personalities and issues of the war, and generally gets things in motion. This anthology gives several writers a chance to play in its world, answering questions such as “How do you earn a living when all you know is how to operate modern electronics?” It’s like a series of fun thought experiments with interesting people.
As with any anthology, some stories work better than others. Nevertheless, all the stories have fun with the premise and entertain the reader.
I understand there are several more novels and anthologies in the 1632 universe. I look forward to exploring them.
The premise of the 1632 universe takes quite a leap of the imagination. For reasons no one understands, a small West Virginia coal mining town, and its environs in a 3-mile radius, is transported to 1632 Germany at the height of the 30 Years’ War. It’s far fetched, even for a science fiction premise, but the groundedness of the rest of the story rewards the reader willing to swallow the outlandish premise.
The first novel in the series, entitled ‘1632,’ transports the town to Germany, orients the reader to the personalities and issues of the war, and generally gets things in motion. This anthology gives several writers a chance to play in its world, answering questions such as “How do you earn a living when all you know is how to operate modern electronics?” It’s like a series of fun thought experiments with interesting people.
As with any anthology, some stories work better than others. Nevertheless, all the stories have fun with the premise and entertain the reader.
I understand there are several more novels and anthologies in the 1632 universe. I look forward to exploring them.