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Saint Antony's Fire
In a strange alternate universe, Ponce de León's quest for the fountain of youth has unexpected results, the Spanish Armada destroys the English fleet with high-tech weapons using beams of fiery light, and the queen flees to the New World, accompanied by her sorcerer advisor Dr. Dee and William Shakespeare, where they find a gateway to an alien world.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published November 1, 2008
2 people are currently reading
43 people want to read
About the author
Steve White
33 books78 followersBorn in 1948.
Steve White is an American science fiction author best known as the co-author of the Starfire-series alongside David Weber.
He is married with 3 daughters and currently lives in Charlottesville, Virginia. He also works for a legal publishing company. He previously served as a United States Navy officer and served during the Vietnam War and in the Mediterranean region.
See also http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Wh...
Steve White is an American science fiction author best known as the co-author of the Starfire-series alongside David Weber.
He is married with 3 daughters and currently lives in Charlottesville, Virginia. He also works for a legal publishing company. He previously served as a United States Navy officer and served during the Vietnam War and in the Mediterranean region.
See also http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Wh...
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
January 16, 2020
"The Gray Monks' flesh didn't seem like flesh at all--dry, pale gray, unpleasantly thin-seeming. And the huge eyes were bottomless pools of undifferentiated darkness, utterly unlike those of any breed of men...or, for that matter, any beast. And the nose was an almost nonexistent ridge. And the mouth was a tiny lipless slit above the pointed chin. And then there were those disturbing hands..."
Steve White has written a surprisingly good mix of fantasy, science fiction, alternative history, and thrilling wartime fighting in Saint Antony's Fire . In 1513, Ponce de Leon went to the New World (American continent) to search for the fountain of youth. In White's version of history, Leon is "successful". Parentheses are used because while he does find what he was searching for, it was located on an alien ship. In the process of gaining unnatural youth, his mind is also taken over by the alien species. While fantastical, the premise is grounded in numerous "conspiracy" theories that ancient civilizations (such as the Incas) have had contact with aliens who have given advanced technology or knowledge to humans.
Fast forward to 1588, and mysterious "Grey Monks" have gathered a cult following within the Catholic church (with the Pope's blessing of course!). These monks are fanning the flames of war between Spain and England, and it appears that a large battle, and even an invasion of England is all but inevitable. A select group of soldiers, privateers, and diplomats are chosen to spirit the Queen of England away to safety before she can fall into the hands of the advancing Spanish army. White cleverly inserts snippets of humor throughout the novel as shown in this example of instructing the sailors to avoid cursing in front of the Queen. "Oh, have no fear, Cap'n," Martin Gorham assured him with great seriousness. "I'll allow no God-damned profane talk among the men. If any of these sons of noseless whores fail to observe the niceties, I'll hand 'em their balls to use as holystones!"
These Monks had to come from somewhere, and it would seem that the only key to saving England lies in discovering whatever portal gave the aliens access to Earth. It's hurricane season though, the Spanish are hot on the English's heels, and our heroes have very little idea of where to start. Perhaps a clue lies with the settlers left behind on Roanoke Island, and cryptic messages alluding to a Native American settlement--Croatoan.
Bottom line: I've been a sucker for parallel/multiple universe stories ever since I played Chronocross as a girl. White has not written a perfect novel--there are mis-spellings, a few wrong word choices, and some awkward sentence structures--basically there could have been a bit more editing. However, at 300 pages, it's a quick read. Throw in Shakespeare, Virginia Dare as a *kick butt* female supporting character, and imaginative alien species, and its just plain fun to read. Given 3.5 stars or a rating of Very Good. Recommended!
Steve White has written a surprisingly good mix of fantasy, science fiction, alternative history, and thrilling wartime fighting in Saint Antony's Fire . In 1513, Ponce de Leon went to the New World (American continent) to search for the fountain of youth. In White's version of history, Leon is "successful". Parentheses are used because while he does find what he was searching for, it was located on an alien ship. In the process of gaining unnatural youth, his mind is also taken over by the alien species. While fantastical, the premise is grounded in numerous "conspiracy" theories that ancient civilizations (such as the Incas) have had contact with aliens who have given advanced technology or knowledge to humans.
Fast forward to 1588, and mysterious "Grey Monks" have gathered a cult following within the Catholic church (with the Pope's blessing of course!). These monks are fanning the flames of war between Spain and England, and it appears that a large battle, and even an invasion of England is all but inevitable. A select group of soldiers, privateers, and diplomats are chosen to spirit the Queen of England away to safety before she can fall into the hands of the advancing Spanish army. White cleverly inserts snippets of humor throughout the novel as shown in this example of instructing the sailors to avoid cursing in front of the Queen. "Oh, have no fear, Cap'n," Martin Gorham assured him with great seriousness. "I'll allow no God-damned profane talk among the men. If any of these sons of noseless whores fail to observe the niceties, I'll hand 'em their balls to use as holystones!"
These Monks had to come from somewhere, and it would seem that the only key to saving England lies in discovering whatever portal gave the aliens access to Earth. It's hurricane season though, the Spanish are hot on the English's heels, and our heroes have very little idea of where to start. Perhaps a clue lies with the settlers left behind on Roanoke Island, and cryptic messages alluding to a Native American settlement--Croatoan.
Bottom line: I've been a sucker for parallel/multiple universe stories ever since I played Chronocross as a girl. White has not written a perfect novel--there are mis-spellings, a few wrong word choices, and some awkward sentence structures--basically there could have been a bit more editing. However, at 300 pages, it's a quick read. Throw in Shakespeare, Virginia Dare as a *kick butt* female supporting character, and imaginative alien species, and its just plain fun to read. Given 3.5 stars or a rating of Very Good. Recommended!
August 12, 2024
Aliens arrive in 1500's Earth, to find their plans of conquering the world stymied by their ship having broken down and lost the portal that brought them here. So, they ally with the Spanish and the Roman Catholic Church in hopes of puppeting them to conquer the world. With their superweapons, the Spanish Armada conquers England...
... and the main body of the story follows the desperate English fleet gone to meet the Roanoke Colony, which has secretly discovered the aliens' missing worldgate. Together, they have to first defeat the aliens in the other world and then return to Earth and fight there.
If this sounds over the top, it's exactly characteristic of how this book's told. But I liked it. The author's respectful of the historical atmosphere and their technological level, and familiar with the historical background, and it shows to the story's credit.
... and the main body of the story follows the desperate English fleet gone to meet the Roanoke Colony, which has secretly discovered the aliens' missing worldgate. Together, they have to first defeat the aliens in the other world and then return to Earth and fight there.
If this sounds over the top, it's exactly characteristic of how this book's told. But I liked it. The author's respectful of the historical atmosphere and their technological level, and familiar with the historical background, and it shows to the story's credit.
September 29, 2015
First let me say that this is an alternate Earth history Science Fiction novel. I usually don't read alternate history books because I don't normally enjoy them. I read this one because I'm a big fan of Steve White. I am really glad that I did read this one. Steve White's novels put me in mind of David Weber. Steve White has in fact co-written several books with David Weber.
Saint Antony's Fire is a standalone SF novel. In 1513, Ponce de Leon finds the Fountain of Youth. Unfortunately, it is located within a flying saucer. The aliens take control of Ponce de Leon and later take control of Spain and their war with England. Using anti-matter light beam weapons they take control of England. Queen Elizabeth flees to America and the Roanoke colony with her trusted advisers and a sea Captain/Privateer. Captain Winslow leads the Queen and a party consisting of her advisers and several sailors from his crew thru a portal to another world controlled by the aliens. There they help the inhabitants of that world overthrow their alien oppressors and they bring back advanced weapons to defeat the aliens on Earth. Did I mention that Shakespeare is among those in this adventure? A very fun read which I highly recommend.
Saint Antony's Fire is a standalone SF novel. In 1513, Ponce de Leon finds the Fountain of Youth. Unfortunately, it is located within a flying saucer. The aliens take control of Ponce de Leon and later take control of Spain and their war with England. Using anti-matter light beam weapons they take control of England. Queen Elizabeth flees to America and the Roanoke colony with her trusted advisers and a sea Captain/Privateer. Captain Winslow leads the Queen and a party consisting of her advisers and several sailors from his crew thru a portal to another world controlled by the aliens. There they help the inhabitants of that world overthrow their alien oppressors and they bring back advanced weapons to defeat the aliens on Earth. Did I mention that Shakespeare is among those in this adventure? A very fun read which I highly recommend.
May 5, 2014
Queen Elizabeth I, William Shakespeare, and .... space aliens! What's not to like? :0)
January 7, 2010
Read from 1/4 - 1/7.
February 6, 2010
Good historical backdrop. The action is fast so no long waits for the next scene. A nicely plotted alien take over scenario with suspense and action and a sense of believability. Enjoyed the read.
January 17, 2015
Cover art was so good I couldn't say no. The story is a bit rambling, but grips tightly to a sense of mystery. I think this might still be a freebie at baen.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews