What do you think?
Rate this book
Second Chance Bird
Is 1632 too late to save the Dodo? Even if it's not, is it humanly possible? Little is impossible if you have the imagination, and if you live in the Europe where Grantville landed. An adventure tale by Garret W. Vance set in the world of Eric Flint's "1632." A previous version of this story was serialized in the Grantville Gazette.
- GenresScience Fiction
409 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 19, 2013
26 people are currently reading
30 people want to read
About the author
Garrett W. Vance
44 books6 followersGarrett W. Vance
I grew up like a tumbleweed in the arid wilds of eastern Washington State, riding horses and motorbikes through the sand and sage brush, enjoying great freedom of movement at a very young age. I was always headed out on expeditions to see what lay beyond the next shady canyon or rolling hill, a curiosity which eventually led me to travel widely in Europe, Asia and Africa. I'm pretty much the definition of a ' maverick,' safe but dull careers, mortgages and insurance are things I wouldn't touch with a seventy-two and a half foot pole. I prefer to be down to my last ducat and on the road, my personal wealth is all in experience. Wherever I go books have been my constant companions, they grant access to places no earthly airplane or ship can venture, to the limitless realms of the written word. I currently enjoy a ridiculously comfortable existence in Bangkok, Thailand and I'm not bored yet. My brain announced to me recently that "It's time to write!" so here I am.
Update: With Volume 15 I became the Art Director for the Gazette! Good thing I like a challenge. :-D
I grew up like a tumbleweed in the arid wilds of eastern Washington State, riding horses and motorbikes through the sand and sage brush, enjoying great freedom of movement at a very young age. I was always headed out on expeditions to see what lay beyond the next shady canyon or rolling hill, a curiosity which eventually led me to travel widely in Europe, Asia and Africa. I'm pretty much the definition of a ' maverick,' safe but dull careers, mortgages and insurance are things I wouldn't touch with a seventy-two and a half foot pole. I prefer to be down to my last ducat and on the road, my personal wealth is all in experience. Wherever I go books have been my constant companions, they grant access to places no earthly airplane or ship can venture, to the limitless realms of the written word. I currently enjoy a ridiculously comfortable existence in Bangkok, Thailand and I'm not bored yet. My brain announced to me recently that "It's time to write!" so here I am.
Update: With Volume 15 I became the Art Director for the Gazette! Good thing I like a challenge. :-D
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
January 31, 2019
2019 - bk 43. This has moved to my favorite among the Ring of Fire Press Fiction. "What to do?" Princess Christina has discovered that in her universe the dodo bird is not extinct. A princess, even if only 9 years old, can pull a lot of power strings. Shortly thereafter Pam Miller, the Bird Lady of Grantville is swept up in an expedition to the islands off the coast of Africa. Did I say expedition - I meant adventure. From the French, shipwrecks, pirates, their own slice of Gilligan's Island, slavers, a Chinese junk (ship), to freeing their fellow Swedes and starting a new colony, I could not put this book down. I started it at 9:30 last night and read until 2:30 a.m. - I did not notice the passing of time. Wow.
May 2, 2018
A beautiful little book
Having thought I had read every ROF book published, including all the ROF Press books, I was pleasantly surprised to find this little jewel. ROF very own tread lightly on the environment novel featuring the Dodo bird. Quitenan adventure to save this bird starring Pam Miller who is now one of my favorite Grantville aventurers. Enjoyed it thoroughly.
Having thought I had read every ROF book published, including all the ROF Press books, I was pleasantly surprised to find this little jewel. ROF very own tread lightly on the environment novel featuring the Dodo bird. Quitenan adventure to save this bird starring Pam Miller who is now one of my favorite Grantville aventurers. Enjoyed it thoroughly.
August 30, 2019
I'm already a big fan of the 1632 series, and this small press addition is kind of a book written specifically for me, but (besides base survival) the biggest change I'd want to make in the new world is preventing the loss of so many species, and the dodo would have to be the poster-child for the cause.
February 24, 2018
A good read. 3.5 stars
November 26, 2018
Really had to struggle to finish it.
July 15, 2018
A good read
In the nature of adventure stories Pam, the naturalist Bird Lady of Grantville is given a mission she never in a million years expected. She has set backs and triumphs struggles and troubles all fitting a truly heroic character. Parts of this novel were originally released serial fashion and personally I prefer the revised new ending to the original cliff hanger the serial ended with before it was decided to turn them into a stand alone novel. The fleshing out and expansion of the original into novel format make it well worth the price. Recommended for any fan of alternate history but especially for fans of the 1632 universe setting.
In the nature of adventure stories Pam, the naturalist Bird Lady of Grantville is given a mission she never in a million years expected. She has set backs and triumphs struggles and troubles all fitting a truly heroic character. Parts of this novel were originally released serial fashion and personally I prefer the revised new ending to the original cliff hanger the serial ended with before it was decided to turn them into a stand alone novel. The fleshing out and expansion of the original into novel format make it well worth the price. Recommended for any fan of alternate history but especially for fans of the 1632 universe setting.
May 30, 2021
A Good Addition to the 1632 Universe
I really enjoyed this book. My original degree was in Forestry so I am very keen on sustainable methods of conservation. Mr. Vance was able to balance the innumerable problems that crop up in trying to both conserve the natural habitat with the demands sustainable productive agriculture and forestry. There was enough action, and unlike some of the latest additions to the 1632 universe there wasn't too much. I also found the main characters to be believable and likeable. A definite enjoyable read.
I really enjoyed this book. My original degree was in Forestry so I am very keen on sustainable methods of conservation. Mr. Vance was able to balance the innumerable problems that crop up in trying to both conserve the natural habitat with the demands sustainable productive agriculture and forestry. There was enough action, and unlike some of the latest additions to the 1632 universe there wasn't too much. I also found the main characters to be believable and likeable. A definite enjoyable read.
October 23, 2018
I really enjoyed this story. After the event of Grantville going back in time to Germany in the 1600's, the Swedish princess finds out about the fate of the dodo and realizes their extinction hasn't occurred yet. She convinces her father to send a force to the Indian Ocean to establish a colony and protect the dodo and other species from extinction. The king agrees since it establishes a Swedish presence in that region where the history recorded in Grantville shows none had existed.
August 15, 2019
Sequel please
A Fine addition to a fine series, like many others I find that the ring of fire series is somewhat hit/miss as to my interest but I keep a list of the various authors and find that over all the books and collections are most welcome assist to my library
A Fine addition to a fine series, like many others I find that the ring of fire series is somewhat hit/miss as to my interest but I keep a list of the various authors and find that over all the books and collections are most welcome assist to my library
March 6, 2018
Gristle
This is a slog to read. While I enjoy the setting, I struggled to stay in the narrative. Too many instances of cutesy ‘uptimer’ garbage and not enough movement on the narrative.
More of a juvenile than an adult novel.
This is a slog to read. While I enjoy the setting, I struggled to stay in the narrative. Too many instances of cutesy ‘uptimer’ garbage and not enough movement on the narrative.
More of a juvenile than an adult novel.
April 25, 2021
All hail The Bird Lady
As with all of the Ring of Fire books Second Chance Bird starts with a shot and wends its way through good times an bad. It ends leaving me wanting to travel to The Wonderland Islands.
As with all of the Ring of Fire books Second Chance Bird starts with a shot and wends its way through good times an bad. It ends leaving me wanting to travel to The Wonderland Islands.
July 27, 2017
Great Book
Even though I did see some of this in the serial, it was even better all together and polished up.
Even though I did see some of this in the serial, it was even better all together and polished up.
September 26, 2018
too much repitition
December 13, 2018
Excellent numerous adventure.
May 30, 2019
Enjoyable romp in the 1632 world. Interesting premise and a solid publication in the Ring of Fire Press line.
April 25, 2020
Delightful, very well written book in this alternative history series. As a biologist with strong feelings about conservation, it was just a perfect read.
October 8, 2020
Interesting
An interesting bookwritten in the tradition of the 1632 universe. I enjoyed reading it very much & will read more about Pam, if they are written.
An interesting bookwritten in the tradition of the 1632 universe. I enjoyed reading it very much & will read more about Pam, if they are written.
February 11, 2017
Another "R O F" hit !
I truly enjoyed this story . A fun adventure , full of sailing ships , pirates , hero's , heroine's and treasure !
I truly enjoyed this story . A fun adventure , full of sailing ships , pirates , hero's , heroine's and treasure !
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews