Ring of Fire II

Ring of Fire Anthology #2

by Eric Flint, David Carrico (Contributor), Virginia DeMarce (Contributor)

A mysterious cosmic force—the “Ring of Fire”—has hurled the town of Grantville from 20th century West Virginia back to 17th century Europe, and into the heart of the Thirty Years War. With their seemingly magical technology, and their radical ideas of freedom and justice, the time-lost West Virginians have allied with Gustavus Adolphus, King of Sweden, to form the Confederated Principalities of Europe, changing the course of history—in ways both small and large.
MORE TO COME.

Genres: Alternate History, Science Fiction, Fiction, Fantasy, Time Travel, Anthologies, Historical Fiction

576 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Eric Flint was a New York Times bestselling American author, editor, and e-publisher. The majority of his main works were alternate history science fiction, but he also wrote humorous fantasy adventures.

Reviews

[Caleb · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel like I read this one out of order, but I followed the suggested reading order set out by Eric Flint himself, so I'm a bit confused.

I suppose that's only a minor complaint though. The stories here were still mostly good. it just took me a bit to remember what was happening in the rest of this universe at the time of each one. Once I did though, I guess this helped refresh my memory about where we've been and where we're going.

I'm not going to comment on the individual stories, but I will say that there were a couple that revolved a bit around Noelle Murphy that gave this volume a sort of narrative to follow in the back half. It was also nice to see what Eddie Cantrell has been up to since his storyline keeps getting lost in the shuffle of events for some reason. Oh, and I suppose I'll comment on two other stories specifically. This'll Be The Day and Command Performance were particularly fun for me. I'm a big music junkie, and I'm always curious about how music is evolving in this universe. Some things I expect, but sometimes even the expected can be fun. The unexpected is even better though, so yeah, both of these were just great to read.

So yeah, again I'm learning to never skip the short story collections of this universe, and I kinda need to be better about reading them alongside the main books rather than between them. I'll never learn though, hehe.

[Debrac2014 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I especially enjoyed Command Performance and the Ausro-Hungarian Connection!

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another collection of sort stories in the 1632 series. I really liked this set, even though I can admit that I couldn't remember a lot of individuals to give context to some of the tales. However, it is still enjoyable, and revelatory, as the rest of the series has been. The final story ("The Austro-Hungarian Connection") was truly outstanding. It features a highly religious character behaving in a devout way. Recommended.

[Alex Shrugged · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you have read the book "1632" by Eric Flint then you will like if not love these stories. Generally speaking I don't particularly like anthologies unless I'm a big fan of the author or the series it represents. I am a fan of the Ring of Fire series beginning with "1632" and I am a big fan of the author, Eric Flint.

This anthology expands upon the story of the townspeople of Grantville who have been sent back in time (town and all) to the year 1631, and dumped into the middle of Germany during the 30 Years War. It covers the events (more or less) after the book "1633". I recommend at least reading "1632" or this anthology won't make any sense. The last two stories in this book depend on one having read "1633". It's not critical, but it does place the characters in context.

Any problems with this anthology? Well... with multiple authors it means that the writing is uneven. Naturally Eric Flint's contribution is strongest because he is not as constrained by the story line. He created the story line. The strongest stories are the last three:

Eddie and the King's Daughter by K.D. Wentworth

Second Thoughts by Virginia DeMarce

The Austro-Hungarian Connection by Eric Flint


FYI, fan fiction is encouraged (within limits). You want to become a published author? Give it your best shot. If it is good enough, you could be published in the Grantville Gazette or one of the Ring of Fire publications. For more information check out the Author's Manual. Note that I have not received any money, hints or encouragement to tell you about this web site. I simply thought you might want to know about it.

Moving on.

Any modesty issues? The F-word is used frequently, probably more often than in the main story line. I guess this is because many of the short stories explore the darker side of living during the 30 Years War: disease, thievery, rape, murder and torture. Bigotry is apparent although the characters in the story tend to call it racism. Racism is a modern idea. In 1632 it was not yet in vogue. Regarding sex, it is not described, but people living with one another is apparent. Sex between a betrothed couple happens. It is not exactly accepted, but people smile and look the other way.

I would read some of these stories again.

[Monty · Rating 3 out of 5]

The authors are given to write inane and ludicrous stories with characters, mostly the so called uptimers, who are inept and mentally deficient beyond belief. It passes the line into slapstick territory far more often than I consider desirable for this sort of story verse. (These are issues for the series as a whole)

The authors also have a tendency to keep using the old saw "can't hit the broadside of a barn" over and over for nearly every character or otherwise ascribing absurd and unbelievable firearms incompetence to 8/10 of the fleshed-out characters. Not to mention an odd seeming obsession with revolvers chambered in .357 magnum.
Furthermore, many if not all of the authors seem to think the subjects of the military and firearms to be something they need not really research properly like the rest of the stories content. Thus, we get to enjoy the idiots referring to pistol magazines as "clips" all too often along with many other stupid descriptions and references. Nearly always slanted toward the negative giving the sense of a far to blatant agenda being at play in the writing.

If they are aware or not of this fact, I find the seeming prejudice saddening for as the reader I think it harms the overall story more often than not.

I could go on and on about things as I have been re-reading all the stories in this series over the last 1-2 weeks, something that may not be the most advisable, the negatives having become a bit to glaring, I guess.

Well, I'm going to start listening to The Cannon Law next, hopefully said issues will not be as pervasive in it.

[Daniel Bratell · Rating 3 out of 5]

As the previous, and probably later, Ring of Fire books, this is a collection of short stories by different authors, edited and collected by Eric Flint. The stories have different topics, different style (to a degree), different length and somewhat different characters. Still Eric Flint tries to create some kind of common thread and in this one that would be Noelle Murphy, known from The Ram Rebellion.

I think these books are skippable, but they still add flesh to what happens in the world, and some of the longer short stories, are probably going to continue in other books.

[BJ Richardson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is another collection of short stories similar to RoF and also the Grantville Gazette series. The stories vary in length and quality with Trials and Malungu Seed being great, the continuing saga of the "Barbie Consortium" being silly, and Virginia Demarce's contributions: Gift and Second Thoughts being pure tedium. My only real complaint is that most of the stories take place far earlier on the timeline than where this book is placed on the recommended reading list on Eric Flint's website. I would recommend reading it before GGIV the Bavarian Crisis, and Parcel of Rogues.

[Hugues · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some stories are boring, specially "Lucky at cards" or "Dinving Bells", some have predictable endings, but the most frequent common point is romance. Too much romance. So I found it not as good as the first Ring of Fire anthology, still I have some fun reading this one.

[LinHigley · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the side stories are gems!

I have a section of my minds eye partitioned off for all things ring of fire. Plenty of room for more detail. Looking forward to adding to the store of tails.

[Shawnee Hayward · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good short stories with more of the world-building blocks you come to expect from this series. The final story by Flint is a tasty treat and very enjoyable.

[Peter Meek · Rating 5 out of 5]

A rare five from me

Based mainly on the last piece by Flint. Love is everywhere, even in the midst of war. Viva l'amour, Noelle.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice addition to the storyline

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good short story collection but I would recommend reading the 1634 books before reading this, as the events are often referred to in these stories.

[Daniel Hamad · Rating 4 out of 5]

As with any anthology, the stories are somewhat inconsistent... but it's great what he's done with this series.

[BH Gill · Rating 4 out of 5]

The audible version of this book needs better titling than just chapters since this is distinctly different stories. the storylines themselves fit in well with the series.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Product Description

A mysterious cosmic force—the ?Ring of Fire?—has hurled the town of Grantville from 20th century West Virginia back to 17th century Europe, and into the heart of the Thirty Years War. With their seemingly magical technology, and their radical ideas of freedom and justice, the time-lost West Virginians have allied with Gustavus Adolphus, King of Sweden, to form the Confederated Principalities of Europe, changing the course of history—in ways both small and large.

MORE TO COME.

About the Author

Eric Flint is the author of the New York Times best seller 1634: The Galileo Affair (with Andrew Dennis)—a novel in his top-selling ?Ring of Fire? alternate history series. His first novel for Baen, Mother of Demons, was picked by Science Fiction Chronicle as a best novel of the year. His 1632, which launched the ring of Fire series, won widespread critical praise, as from Publishers Weekly, which called him ?an SF author of particular note, one who can entertain and edify in equal, and major, measure.? A longtime labor union activist with a Master's Degree in history, he currently resides in northwest Indiana with his wife Lucille.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ring of Fire II consists of a number of short stories set in the 1632/Ring of Fire Universe. One about horses and confronting prejudice; another about the Press protecting sensitive political information about Wallenstein; another set in Stockholm and raising the Vasa (ship) and diving to accomplish it; another introducing Claudia de Medici of Tirol and her plague doctors; Richelieu, Cardinal Marazin (aka Marazini), Gaston, heir to the French and gambling; rescuing the Dutch guilder; Father Friedrich Spee von Langenfeld, music and his new timeline; Marla and Mary Simpson sponsoring her debut in Magdeburg; an outpost for emigrants coming to Grantville; a story about quinine seeds; Artemisia Gentileschi and her trip to Grantville; a story about the Barbie Consortium and William Cavendish, third Earl of Devonshire; Eddie Cantrell and meeting the king’s daughter, Anne Catherine; and a story about Noelle Stull (formerly Murphy) and her family story; another story about Noelle Stull and her Beth.meeting Janos Dru

[Jeremy Preacher · Rating 2 out of 5]

Like almost any collection of short stories, this one is uneven. There were some fun ones - "Diving Belle" and "Lucky at Cards" stand out in my memory - and some tedious ones. "Second Thoughts" was fairly mind-numbing, which is somewhat baffling since the same main character in "The Austro-Hungarian Connection" was a hoot.

Overall, good background material if you're particularly invested in the Ring of Fire series, but otherwise, feel totally free to skip it.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anthology of short stories by various authors expanding on the characters and plots from Eric Flint's 1632 series of novels. Eric Flint is editor and the stories have to match the standards set for the novels in the base series by Mr. Flint. As with any anthology the appeal of a specific story will vary from reader to reader. Some of the authors are relatively inexperienced. I found some very good and some were a wee bit of a challenge to finish.

[Henry · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am a huge fan of this series. But what a disappointment! I'm glad that I got this book from the library and didn't waste any money on it.

This is a series of short stories. The only one that was any good was a story about monetary policy and efforts to prop up the value of the Dutch Guilder.

Yeah, it is a sad statement when the best story is about monetary policy.

[Topher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Far and away the most interesting and thought provoking series I have read so far. The grantsville gazette stories in particular explore economics, religion, music, and card games. Not exactly the common topics of science fiction.

An awesome series. Excellent research, and the collaborative writing keeps lots of interesting ideas flowing.

[David · Rating 1 out of 5]

Usually anthology books will have 5-6 short stories that flesh out some secondary characters or plots. This one had way too many stories and they were just not that good. Only saved by the last story, which was actually written by Flint.

[Patricrk patrick]

An anthology of stories of various authors set in the world created by the move of a town in West Virginia to 1632 Central Germany.

[Tim]

Good stories, nice continuation of the series. Leaves alot of room for the stories and characters to continue and builds up some I'd wanted more of. Also added a possible new favorite in Denise.

[Brandt Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Anthology that makes me look forward to new & continued storylines about the minor characters of the 1632 verse.

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Filled with fun stories..

The re-read was good..
Read it soon, if you haven't

[James Willey · Rating 3 out of 5]

A series of sequals to storylines in the original. Some I enjoyed, most were so-so.

[Luci · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it. The stories were pretty short and entertaining. The novella was also very good.

[Terry]

Worthwhile reading. But a little uneven.
A cast of characters would have been helpful. I've read most of the earlier books but they were more than a week ago so it was difficult to keep the stories in context.