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katricia's review against another edition
3.0
If you don't find 17th-century European military history and weaponry interesting, you probably won't like this book, as it's almost as much "real" historical tangents as it is a story set in the fictional "Ring of Fire" universe.
Fortunately, I *do* find those topics interesting.
Fortunately, I *do* find those topics interesting.
defenders_iris's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Getting a co-author was the best thing Eric Flint could have done - the quality of the writing is much higher than 1632, and a lot of the "graphic for graphic's sake" details are done away in lieu of poetic imagery, which I adore. The pacing is much better too, and a lot of the characters go through meaningful development. I even cried toward the end at a major death, and a few points made me chuckle audibly, so kudos to the two of them for improving their craft!
The books are still very much written by white men, and the meandering nature of all the subplots was quite hard to keep track of. Especially since the subplots don't get all wrapped up by the end of the book. Combined with the overall slow pace of the book, it was difficult to tell what actually contributed to the overarching plot of the world, versus what drove the plot of the book itself forward. Best girl Julie gets minimal book time as well.
Overall though, a good time!
The books are still very much written by white men, and the meandering nature of all the subplots was quite hard to keep track of. Especially since the subplots don't get all wrapped up by the end of the book. Combined with the overall slow pace of the book, it was difficult to tell what actually contributed to the overarching plot of the world, versus what drove the plot of the book itself forward. Best girl Julie gets minimal book time as well.
Overall though, a good time!
Content Warnings
Graphic: War and Death
Minor: Antisemitism
abigcoffeedragon's review against another edition
1.0
Characters- Plenty of descriptions and dialog as well as emotions from characters
Setting- A ton of setting with history and alternate history throughout
Plot- Nary a sign of it in the first 15% of the book.
There is absolutely no plot. Everyone talks to someone else about what is happening but not a single person does anything. The people that are doing something are talked about by the people doing nothing. She is spying for us. Wonder how that is going? Well, you won't find it here, because we would rather have the non movement characters talk about someone else actions. This is a yawn fest from beginning to seven chapters in. The concept was what drew me in, but the book is just retched. Basically this is a war-gamer's fantasy about changing history without having characters do a single flipping thing.
Setting- A ton of setting with history and alternate history throughout
Plot- Nary a sign of it in the first 15% of the book.
There is absolutely no plot. Everyone talks to someone else about what is happening but not a single person does anything. The people that are doing something are talked about by the people doing nothing. She is spying for us. Wonder how that is going? Well, you won't find it here, because we would rather have the non movement characters talk about someone else actions. This is a yawn fest from beginning to seven chapters in. The concept was what drew me in, but the book is just retched. Basically this is a war-gamer's fantasy about changing history without having characters do a single flipping thing.
especbooks's review against another edition
5.0
Wonderful
I enjoyed this book even more than the first, though there were still points where the depth of historic data left me floundering from time to time. I loved the character interaction and development and look forward to more in the series.
I enjoyed this book even more than the first, though there were still points where the depth of historic data left me floundering from time to time. I loved the character interaction and development and look forward to more in the series.
mschlat's review against another edition
4.0
It took me a while to warm up to the book --- unlike 1632, where most of the action takes place in Grantville (the time-and-place-transplanted town), the characters are spread over Europe. The first novel focused on the how and why of survival for 20th century Americans in 17th century Europe, with an emphasis on the can-do spirit of small towns. This novel casts a much wider net and, as a result, takes longer to catch fire. However, I loved the ending and am interested in the next volume.
markkaj's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I cried, yep. Love it
ashponders's review against another edition
3.0
These books get worse, I read like 10 of them. Law and Order marathons for your mind.
alex_ellermann's review against another edition
4.0
The hardest thing about recommending the 'Ring of Fire' series, of which this title is a part, is getting someone to keep listening after hearing the premise. "Ok, so through an alien's cosmic magic trick gone wrong - just go with it - an entire West Virginia coal-mining town - not just the people, the whole town - is transported to Franconia, a German statelet roughly 150 miles northeast of Frankfurt, smack in the middle of the 30 Years' War. In 1632, in fact, which happens to be the title of the first book. No, wait, stay with me. Here's the hook: while the premise is preposterous, the writers - the series is a collective effort - take it deadly seriously. What would the ramifications really be if a bunch of modern West Virginians, modern rifles and pickup trucks and political/religious ideology and variable knowledge of European history and all, were dropped into the middle of one of Europe's most intractable conflicts? Who'd ally with them? Who'd declare war? What effect would they have on science, on the European and global economy, on philosophy and theology and the list goes on?"
"Ok. Fine. I get it. Enjoy your book club selection about unhappy rich people."
But here's the thing: I'm three volumes into this series, and it's gooood. The history is solidly researched. The speculation (again, once the reader gets past the preposterous premise) is reasonable. The characters are well-drawn, the plot engrossing, and the whole thing as good a time as you're going to find in the Preposterous section of your local historical science fiction bookstore. In other words, this stuff is right up my alley.
This particular book is a place-setter, mostly spending its time moving the pieces into position for its direct sequel, "1634: The Baltic War." Yes, there's some action near the end, but "1633" is meant for the reader who's already invested in the characters and the ongoing storylines. Still, I like the characters and I'm intrigued by the storylines. I'm in for the long haul, and I look forward to reading the next volume.
"Ok. Fine. I get it. Enjoy your book club selection about unhappy rich people."
But here's the thing: I'm three volumes into this series, and it's gooood. The history is solidly researched. The speculation (again, once the reader gets past the preposterous premise) is reasonable. The characters are well-drawn, the plot engrossing, and the whole thing as good a time as you're going to find in the Preposterous section of your local historical science fiction bookstore. In other words, this stuff is right up my alley.
This particular book is a place-setter, mostly spending its time moving the pieces into position for its direct sequel, "1634: The Baltic War." Yes, there's some action near the end, but "1633" is meant for the reader who's already invested in the characters and the ongoing storylines. Still, I like the characters and I'm intrigued by the storylines. I'm in for the long haul, and I look forward to reading the next volume.
amyiw's review against another edition
4.0
4 1/2 and then a cliffhanger, so 3 1/2 bumped up.
I actually liked this better than the first as it didn’t drag as much in the history, or at least no where for too long. The last had a 15% of the book continual, recount of a battle. This went into parts and telling of history but never too long and it always pertained to the situation.
This book is a compilation of a lot of things happening- unluckily the beginning storylines all end in cliffhangers
Spoiler
Rebecca is in the tower with Tom Simpson, son ofSpoiler
and the naval battleWe get a furthering of all our favorite characters and get a few new ones. I’ll go on to the next and hope the 2 story lines that were left up in the air get answered in the next since the book was written by the same 2 authors.