Dies the Fire by S. M. Stirling (2005, Paperback, Reprint)

This book's got a unique premise: all electricity is abruptly wiped out by an unknown event. It's interesting because it shows just how much of civilization is based on something we take so much for granted. The story is interesting and moves along at a nice clip. Really, this could have been a lot longer and I wouldn't have complained. The Wiccan stuff got kind of boring, but in later books the author didn't bother so much with it.

'Dies the Fire' is a unique approach to how people survive, group together, and thrive after an apocolyptic event that changes the world. It's the beginning of an epic story of survival and the continuation of the human race and the societies formed. With a mix of re-awakened medieval lifestyles, military survival tactics and a bit of witchcraft thrown in, the story takes on some very interesting aspects of what it takes to survive when the modern world has its modern basics snatched away.

While the story in itself is enough to yank the reader in and keep them until the end, the writing and grammar style hold this first novel in a series back from being rated as Excellent. Grammatically, sentence structure leaves a bit to be desired and sometimes I find myself rewriting sentences (in my head) in ways to better convey the author's idea. In mixing adventure with drama and social interaction, the author does a good job. However, he could tone down a bit on the 'religiousity' (thanks Joss Whedon, for that new word!), and fill those pages with more character development. The social bonds are strong enough that relgious ceremony isn't needed for the reader to cement those bonds, wiccan or not.

Being from the Northwest, it's definitely fun to see names and locations that are familiar. It's sometimes obvious the author isn't from the area, but he makes every effort to be as correct as possible.

I will continue reading the series for certain.

S.M. Stirling's works, including Dies the Fire, are excellent examples of science fiction. Any serious reader of sci fi needs to have Stirling in their collection.