1635: The Dreeson Incident (11) (The Ring of Fire) Mass Market Paperback – Illustrated, August 31, 2010

This might appeal to some, but it's not REALLY "Science Fiction", it's fiction with an SF backdrop, but barely even that. It's really a story about a family's interactions. The focus is on them and their lives, and how they got where they were, and where they are going -- but there's really nothing of "science" in it at all, and it could easily be elided from the entire 16xx series and not lose a lot...Virginia DeMarce is not a bad writer, her characters are engaging, but, unfortunately, they aren't distinctive enough, and far too numerous... She brings up someone, mentions them briefly, then proceeds to the next subject. You're left with "Who the EPH was that? Why should I care?" in response. Don't worry -- they'll be mentioned in passing again later. You won't recall exactly where you've heard their names, or why, but they'll be mentioned again... :-SThe main issue I have is that this isn't really "Science Fiction" -- it's much more a fictional story in any general genre which happens to be taking place in an SF Mileau -- essentially a modern family with its views and attitudes tossed back into 1600s Germany... which sounds interesting except that Ms. DeMarce does not WRITE about the interactions with 1600s Germany as much as she writes about the interactions and history of the family... which could take place ANYWHERE. She isn't writing SCIENCE fiction. Science fiction would deal much more with the contrast of 1600s views with modern views. With events of the time period and the way things "worked out" differently because of the change that the series macguffin causes. Or even with the technology -- both brought back and "new understanding" found in modern history books which was bypassed but had to be dug out because it was suited to creating via the tools available in the 1600s, and much better than what they had then.This is not the only such "experience" I've had with Ms. DeMarce's writing, she's the principle writer, also, on The Tangled Web, which is a nominal sequel to this book. I found the same issues with that, too, it was far more about the interactions of different people, and had almost nothing to do with the actual setting or events surrounding it. They represented something like 5% of the story. And the entire story, and its plot, could be randomly set ANYWHERE in human space or time.Ms. DeMarce seems to be like David Weber, someone I can read when someone else is riding herd on them, but, when solo, manages to be utterly uninteresting. Others may well disagree, but, in the case of Ms. DeMarce, I have to suggest, "perhaps SCIENCE Fiction is not the genre you're looking for...?"

The book is patchy in quality. It is long winded and boring in many sections, but riveting in others.Most if the characters are interesting, but many scenes are drawn out and boring. It goes beyond excessive exposition into just unnecessary wordy and uninteresting dialog.

The title of this book refers to the murder of Grantville mayor Henry Dreeson and Presbyterian minister Enoch Wiley during the Battle of the Synagogue. Dreeson and Wiley were trying to calm down the mob which was bent on destroying the synagogue, and altho the murderer was actually a Huguenot fanatic trying create an incident to blame on Cardinal Richelieu, it was the anti-Jewish fanatics who were attacking the synagogue who got the blame, which led to Krystalnacht, a sort of mirror-image of Hitler's Kristallnacht; a pogrom not against Jews but rather against anti-Semitic leaders and agitators.I suspect it was Virginia DeMarce who wrote most of the parts about Ron Stone and Missy Jenkins, and who made me feel like I knew (and liked) them both personally. One of the high points for me was the beginning of chapter 19, in which Missy interrupts her grandmother's recitation of the latest gossip about Ron Stone kissing Minnie Hugelmair (which he didn't) to suggest to Vera that before she tells that story again it would be a good idea to get her facts straight. Vera (Nani) is indignant, but unlike Vera, Missy knows who Ron really kissed.If you don't want to read about anything but action, action, action . . . this book is not for you, but if you can appreciate a more nuanced story, this one is a gem.

There are some very good parts to this book. However, it's vastly over-written with characters that are of lesser importance, and some that are downright boring. It would be much better to have been shortened by half.

I don’t like writing book reviews because I figure anyone who can get a book published is a much better writer than I am. But OMG!!! I’m half way through this book and I can’t take it anymore. The title of it should be renamed to “1635: All my Kin”.What are my three biggest gripes so far (remember, I’m only half way through the book)?1 - The characters in the main-story-arc of the “Ring of Fire” universe rarely make an appearance (I am including the younger Stone brothers in this statement). Legitimately, this shouldn’t be a factor in a review, but in this particular case, it leads directly to my second gripe.2 - Of the many (feels like dozens) main characters in this book, half of them seem to be redneck hicks I don’t like and the other half seem to be their gossipy relations that I don’t care about. Truthfully, while reading this book, I’ve thought that a second, better armed, Croatian cavalry raid would be really nice.3 - Finally, to all the main characters, I say “shut your mouths and do something.” I believe there is a writing suggestion (rule?) that says “show it, don’t tell it” or some such. Most of this book, so far, has been uninteresting dialog.I don’t think I am going to finish this one. If this book actually contains some main-story-arc developments, I’ll just infer them from later books or find the “Cliff Notes”.

The majestic, deeply intelligent and well researched alternative history (a whole town of 20th Century West Virginians arrival in the Germanies of the 30 years war) goes on into 1635. Eric Flint's epic collaborative work manages to keep a surprising consistency to the quality and style of writing, despite his use of many co-writers to produce such a HUGE volume of work. Huge as in terms of scope of narrative, breadth of plot, depth of socio-econo-politico-psycho-military dynamics and sheer numbers of characters used. And with so many people performing important roles, there is an ever increasing size of back story. Depending if you include the gazettes this is about the 11th book in the series. Despite how few are in only his own name, I am impressed how the style is immediately recognisable, unlike many other similar collaborations.This is a transition in the narrative journey in many ways. It should be read after the 'Bavarian Crisis' and 'Ram Rebellion'; but before 'The Eastern Front'; which leads onto the 'Saxon Rebellion'. It is approximately concurrent with 'A Parcel of Rogues'. Just as well they include dates in the titles, but that's not a definitive guide.Mike Stearns, Prince of Germanies, is here preparing for a loss in the first United States of Europe elections. It is as multi stranded as all the other books. How to transition power to his successors? What to plan for in the very long term? No surprise however that there is trouble afoot, a big web of villains. Hugenot plotters, spies working for 4 paymasters, idiot up-timers and various lunatics. And we have a big cast of heroes of all ages and situations to face off. There is a big denouement but its past in a flash and the real meat of teh book as usual is the build up and consequences.MUST BE READ IN ORDER - NOT SO GOOD AS A STAND ALONE BOOKFollowers of the series will want this one. Too much happens. The series is resilient enough you could skip it, but fanatics will miss a lot they'd want. For a light reader may not be for you. Coming into the series new this is certainly not for you either. There is a more than the usual emphasis on revisiting family trees with a lot of space devoted to parents' uncles;/aunts' and grandparents' dating history. Makes for heavier reading than usual. This is again a long detailed description of context and circumstance, so complex consequences can be understood.5 stars for the avid follower (of which I am one), Less interesting to the casual browser. I'd recommend anyone read the first 3 (best) books: '1632', '1633' and 'The Baltic war'. If you like complex underlying paradigms to grasp consequences this is a delight.Heavier than some others but important story development: With that proviso: RECOMMENDED

Ex library book had a couple of very minor marks and a couple of pages folded at the corners. Other than that was excellent. Certainly deserved the "Good" description. The condition did not reflect the heavy use I would have expected of a popular library book.As to the actual story, I got the book to build up my "Ring of Fire" books. Cannot claim to be a major fan of all the peripheral books, but they do add something to the depth of this "shared universe" line. I don't know how much of this book is Flint but I suspect not a great deal. DiMarce tends to write in small chunks and uses a wide range of characters, to the extent it can get confusing. I am not a fan of this style of writing. It would of course be wrong to judge the book on the personal preferences of a single reader. So I feel the question should be, does this work add flesh to the skeleton of the shared universe. I have to say yes. It will not be for everyone but it will add to the universe for a lot of fans.

Probably the most entertaining series of books in the last decade. I have read over 20 of the novels / short story collections / spin off's and I am eagerly awaiting the next installments.

A "run of the mill" member of the Ring of Fire family. Surprised Flint put his name to it, I'm sure its mainly DeMarce. If it didn't add detail to the Ring of Fire alternate history, I'd only give it 2 stars.

This reads like a script from a soap opera - I'm half way through and all there is so far is semi-random gossip, which I continue reading in the vague hope that somewhere or somewhen this gossip will lead to a story or some action.Disappointing.